This Just In: Oxcarts on the beach; military medical team packs up

Also, EJ Perry moves from Brown to the big stage. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, March 4 [Historical photographs submitted to the General Assembly show the width of a path occupied by an oxcart used for gathering seaweed on the beach.]( [Oxcarts on the beach; military medical team packs up]( Also, EJ Perry moves from Brown to the big stage. Good afternoon and welcome to this Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and after a busy few days, it's nice to March 4th into the weekend. (See what I did there?) Meetings can sometimes be boring, but not so much when the issue under discussion is the beach-access rights of Rhode Islanders. The House commission on shoreline access has coalesced around legislation that would define where the public's Constitutional right to access the shore supersede the claims of beachfront property owners. To answer this questions, commission members discussed oxcarts and how much space it takes for two couples to walk past each other while holding hands. Antonia Noori Farzan, who has been our lead reporter on beach-access issues since last summer, [tells you all you need to know]( plus what comes next. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported two more coronavirus-related deaths and 156 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 7,477 negative tests, for a 2.0% positive rate. There were 104 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals, down from 106 reported yesterday, and the lowest number since mid-August, with 13 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 182 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 13% from a week ago and down 42% from two weeks ago. A military medical team that arrived in Rhode Island during the height of the omicron surge in January is set to depart this weekend. But first, they'll get a unique sendoff, [courtesy of Good Night Lights]( The controversial sale of National Grid's Rhode Island operations to PPL Corporation [has been put on indefinite hold]( – because of the intervention of Massachusetts' attorney general. Catalytic converter theft is a growing nuisance, and the Providence City Council is considering [a new ordinance designed to stop it]( They're doctors, lawyers, students and more – but they're also singers. [Together they're the Providence Singers]( and that group is holding a 50th anniversary concert Saturday night. The Ukraine war has sent gas prices surging in Rhode Island and across the nation. And local experts [don't see relief on the near horizon]( Ukrainian vodka [is now being featured]( at Bellini in Providence, in a small show of support for the people of that embattled nation. If you like measuring things, [the National Weather Service wants to hear from you]( As football junkies know, the NFL Scouting Combine is under way in Indianapolis. Among the top-flight prospects showing teams what they've got [is quarterback EJ Perry]( who hopes to eventually become the first Brown University product to throw a pass in the National Football League. Good luck to the URI women's basketball team, which opens Atlantic 10 tournament play at 5 p.m. today against Saint Joseph's. This week's Walking RI destination includes [an old granite quarry in Westerly]( Finally, it would be hard to find a less flexible person than me. When others touch their toes, I'm happy to reach my knees. But maybe if I changed that it would make me happier. In her New to RI column this week Amy Russo meets with Gina Rehab, a yoga instructor [who never stops smiling]( which takes flexibility in itself. Have a great weekend. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, [please encourage someone you know to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2022 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902